What happens if my lawyer’s firm is suspended from the UBS Conveyancing panel ahead of completing my conveyancing in Highgate?

First, this is a very rare occurrence. In most cases even where a law firm is removed off of a panel the lender would allow the completion to go ahead as the lender would appreciate the difficulties that they would place you in if you have to instruct a new solicitor days before completion. In a worst case scenario where the lender insists that you instruct a new firm then it is possible for a very good lawyer to expedite the conveyancing albeit that you may pay a significant premium for this. The analogous situation is where a buyer instructs a lawyer, exchanges contracts and the law firm is shut down by a regulator such as the SRA. Again, in this situation you can find lawyers who can troubleshoot their way to bring the conveyancing to a satisfactory conclusion - albeit at a cost.

My wife and I are buying a apartment in Highgate. It might be a silly question but how we can trust a lawyer? On completion day we have to deposit our life savings into their account. What protection do we have from them run away with our deposit?

Be assured that all money in a Solicitors client account is 100% safe, and even if your Solicitor ran off with it, the Law Society would reimburse you fully.

I am helping my mother sell her property in Highgate. Does the conveyancer commission the energy performance certificate or do I organise this?

After the abolition of HIPs, EPC’s was left as a required part of moving property. An energy assessment needs to be commissioned before the property is advertised. This is not something that law firms normally organise. If you are instructing a Highgate conveyancing practitioner they may be able to arrange energy assessments given their contacts with reputable local providers

Is it the case that all Highgate conveyancing solicitors on the HSBC conveyancing panel are regulated by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority?

As a firm of solicitors, in order to be on the HSBC approved list of solicitors they would need to be regulated by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority. Many lenders do allow licenced conveyancers on their panel in which case such firms would be overseen by the CLC.

A friend advised me that where I am buying in Highgate I should carry out a Neighbourhood, Planning and Local Amenity Search. Can you explain what the purpose of this search is?

This is a search is sometimes included in the estimate for your Highgate conveyancing searches. It is not a small report of about 40 pages, listing and setting out significant information about Highgate around the property and the people living there. It incorporates an Aerial Photograph, Planning Applications, Land Use, Mobile Phone Masts, Rights of Way, the local Housing Market, Council Tax Banding, the type of People living in the area, the dominant type of Housing, the Average House Prices, Crime statistics, Highgate Education with plans and statistics, Local Amenities and other useful data regarding Highgate.

I am using a search engine for the words on line conveyancing in Highgate it brings up numerous property lawyersin the area. How do I determine which is the suitable conveyancer for me?

The ideal method of finding the right conveyancer is through a personal referral, so enquire of colleagues and those you trust who have acquired a property in Highgate or the respected estate agent or mortgage broker. Fees for conveyancing in Highgate vary, so it's a good idea to obtain at least four costs illustrations from different property lawyers. Be sure to secure confirmation that the fees are fixed.

How do I find the right lawyer for my conveyancing in Highgate ?

First ask your friends and family who they would recommend. Option 2 is to search the web for conveyancing in Highgate. Telephone a couple or more firms from the list and request that they send you their conveyancing charges and speak to the lawyer who will conduct your conveyancing before you commit. Third is to make use of this site to assist you in finding the right lawyers taking into account your unique factors including location,speed, complexity and who the proposed lender is.Avoid the trap of appointing lowest cost conveyancing solicitors in Highgate